Getting Tight up Top
The Langley Chiefs are continuing their solid play to start the season. After losing their first game of the season in Surrey, the Chiefs rattled off six straight wins before falling to the Burnaby Express on Saturday.
Derek Grant is on a tear to begin the campaign and leads the BCHL scoring race with 8 goals and 21 points in nine games. When Langley went on a three game road trip last weekend in Powell River (for two games) and Cowichan, Grant led the way with 11 points in the three wins.
The run of victories has the Langley squad atop the Mainland Division with a 6-2-1-0 record and 13 points.
The Powell River Kings just keep filling the net, especially the top line of Darcy Oakes, Brooks Robinson and Clay Harvey. The trio is second, third and fourth in the league’s scoring derby. Oakes has the most goals in the BCHL win 12.
The Kings are 5-4-1-0 on the season and are averaging the most goals for per game at an astonishing 4.50. I said Powell River was going to score a lot of goals and they are definitely doing so.
The Burnaby Express obviously needed some time to gel as a team. The Express started the season winless in their first four games. Then they rolled the Surrey Eagles three straight times (and by convincing scores as well) and then handed the Chiefs their second loss of the season on Saturday night. Michael Chan and Richie Virtanen have played really well between the pipes for the Express, who now has a decent record of 4-4-1-0.
As for the Surrey Eagles, they have lost five straight games including the three to the Express, and singles to the Vernon Vipers and Victoria Grizzlies.
The Eagles are giving up too many goals (4.90 per game) and haven’t been able to match that on the offensive end. Surrey has been in most games until the third period where they give up too many shots and consequently too many goals.
Up this week for the Mainland teams: Langley hosts Nanaimo on Thursday and then play in Alberni Valley on Friday and Cowichan on Saturday.
Powell River has the toughest week as they are in Prince George Thursday, Quesnel Friday, Westside Saturday, and Merritt on Sunday.
Burnaby hosts the Clippers Saturday and is in Surrey on Sunday. The Eagles have the Clippers Friday and the Express on Sunday.
Get out to the games and see some great BCHL hockey. Any comments, questions or concerns send me an email ctiggelaar@surreyeagles.ca.
